Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart vs Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart
Both made our Best Toasters shortlist, at #1 and #3. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster if you want thermostatic shade control, same shade setting produces consistent results on a cold and warm toaster. Choose the Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster if you'd rather have same thermostatic browning consistency as the 4-slice BTA840XL, in a smaller footprint. Overall we rank the Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Toasters list.
Winner overall: Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster
Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster vs Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 13 in Best Toasters | #3 of 13 in Best Toasters |
| Pick label | Top pick | |
| Brand | Breville | Breville |
| Key features | Thermostatic (Element IQ) shade control, not timer-based; Four 1.5-inch wide slots; Lift-and-look mid-cycle inspection | Thermostatic (Element IQ) shade control; 1.5-inch wide slots; Lift-and-look mid-cycle inspection |
| Biggest strength | Thermostatic shade control, same shade setting produces consistent results on a cold and warm toaster | Same thermostatic browning consistency as the 4-slice BTA840XL, in a smaller footprint |
| Main trade-off | Heavier than most toasters (5.5 lb), moving it to clean under is slightly more effort | The most expensive 2-slice toaster in this roundup by a wide margin |
| Best for | Most buyers | Most buyers |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick · Top pick
Choose the Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster if…
- Thermostatic shade control, same shade setting produces consistent results on a cold and warm toaster
- Lift-and-look feature, check toast without canceling the cycle
- 1.5-inch wide slots accommodate thick artisan bread, large bagels, and English muffins
Prefer the alternative? See the Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster section.
#3 pick
Choose the Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster if…
- Same thermostatic browning consistency as the 4-slice BTA840XL, in a smaller footprint
- 1.5-inch slots are the widest of any 2-slice toaster on the market, handling bagels without compression
- Lift-and-look avoids resetting the cycle when checking progress
Prefer the alternative? See the Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster section.
Pros and cons of each
Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster
Pros
- Thermostatic shade control, same shade setting produces consistent results on a cold and warm toaster
- Lift-and-look feature, check toast without canceling the cycle
- 1.5-inch wide slots accommodate thick artisan bread, large bagels, and English muffins
- Even browning top-to-bottom across the full slot height
- Die-cast housing, substantial build quality, stays cool to the touch
Cons
- Heavier than most toasters (5.5 lb), moving it to clean under is slightly more effort
- Die-cast finish shows fingerprints and requires regular wiping to maintain appearance
- The lift-and-look mechanism adds complexity, more parts in the carriage to wear
Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster
Pros
- Same thermostatic browning consistency as the 4-slice BTA840XL, in a smaller footprint
- 1.5-inch slots are the widest of any 2-slice toaster on the market, handling bagels without compression
- Lift-and-look avoids resetting the cycle when checking progress
- Die-cast housing feels noticeably more solid than stamped-metal budget models
Cons
- The most expensive 2-slice toaster in this roundup by a wide margin
- 1-year warranty is shorter than Cuisinart's 3-year coverage on comparable models
- Die-cast finish shows fingerprints and needs regular wiping
Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster vs Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster: common questions
Which is better, the Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster or the Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster?
Choose the Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster if you want thermostatic shade control, same shade setting produces consistent results on a cold and warm toaster. Choose the Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster if you'd rather have same thermostatic browning consistency as the 4-slice BTA840XL, in a smaller footprint. Overall we rank the Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Toasters list.
What is the difference between the Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster and the Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster?
The Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster stands out because thermostatic shade control, same shade setting produces consistent results on a cold and warm toaster, while the Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster stands out because same thermostatic browning consistency as the 4-slice BTA840XL, in a smaller footprint. The trade-offs differ too: the Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster's main caveat is that heavier than most toasters (5.5 lb), moving it to clean under is slightly more effort, and the Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster's is that the most expensive 2-slice toaster in this roundup by a wide margin.
Is the Breville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster worth it over the Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Breville BTA720XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster instead if heavier than most toasters (5.5 lb), moving it to clean under is slightly more effort is a deal-breaker for you.